Mathematics

The A-level Course

As well as being a fascinating subject in its own right, Mathemtatics is renowned as being one of the most highly regarded by employers and instituions. It offers core foundation for study of other subjects and enables pupils to have a broader field of options for the future. Research shows that there is a direct link to studying A level Mathematics and future job success with good earnings!

We have large cohorts of mathematicians throught the Sixth form. In each year we usually have five single and three Further Mathematics sets, cateringing for roughly 120 pupils per year. Success levels are high with virtually 100% of our pupils gaining an A* or A grade at A2 level each year.

Many of our pupils go on to associated courses at top universities.

Lower 6th (Year 12)

We follow the Edexcel AS and A2 Mathematics and Further Mathematics syllabus at A-level. There are 6 modules per A-Level and no coursework. Single mathematicians usually take 3 modules in the L6th and 3 in the U6th. The top set is accelerated by taking 4 modules in the L6th which allows them to concentrate on C3 and C4 in the U6th. 90% in the latter two modules is required to achieve an A* grade.

Further mathematicians follow a varied and interesting diet of Core, Statistics, Mechanics and Decision modules which allows them the flexibility to choose any degree course they wish to study. Currently in the L6th, we have 50 Further mathematicians encompassing 3 groups.  Two express groups operate in one option column and the other covers two option columns. Both sets study 7 of the overall 12 modules in the L6th, those modules being C1-C4, FP1, S1 and M1.

Upper 6th (Year 13)

All single mathematicians will have taken 5 modules by January, leaving C4 as the only new examination to do in June. Further Mathematicians mainly extend their applied knowledge by covering higher levels of Mechanics, Statistics and Decision Maths; the final module, at level 3, being the one that most suits a particular group.

Extra Curricular

All willing pupils in both years sit the National Maths Challenge competition in November. This year we had a record breaking college year with 20, 32 and 36 pupils gaining Gold, Silver and Bronze levels respectively. 15 of these went on to further rounds, with 7 qualifying for the Olympiad (regared as the country's elite). We entered our first ever Team Challenge this year and seek to raise this profile in future years. We do extension classes for those keen to pursue the subject to a very high future level and, on average, 2 or 3 pupils go on to read Mathematics at Oxbridge each year.